Tax Break For Green Purchases Begins Today

     McGuinty Government Encourages Ontarians to Save Money through

     Conservation at Home

     TORONTO, July 20 /CNW/ - Beginning today, Ontario consumers will save

money through a temporary Retail Sales Tax (RST) exemption on the purchase of

qualifying ENERGY STAR(R) household products.

     "We all have to do our part to save energy and reduce the demand for

electricity in this province," said Finance Minister Greg Sorbara. "This tax

exemption will make energy-efficient products more affordable, encouraging

consumers to go green at home."

     This initiative will provide a point-of-sale RST exemption for certain

qualifying ENERGY STAR(R) household products purchased, rented or leased after

July 19, 2007, and before July 20, 2008. The exemption applies to

refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, freezers, dehumidifiers and room

air conditioners. Qualifying ENERGY STAR(R) light bulbs and decorative light

strings are also exempt through this initiative. To qualify:

     -   the product must be listed, at the time of purchase, as

         ENERGY STAR(R) qualified by the Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural

         Resources Canada;

     -   the purchase must be a first-time sale, rental or lease for at least

         one year, of a new qualifying appliance; and

     -   the contract for the sale must be entered into after July 19, 2007,

         and prior to July 20, 2008, and delivery must take place on or before

         September 1, 2008.

     Installation costs for qualifying built-in appliances and delivery

charges for ENERGY STAR(R) products are also eligible for the RST exemption.

     "Climate change is a reality for each and every one of us. Energy

conservation must be a priority," said Sorbara. "Our initiative is a win-win

situation for both consumers and the environment. This tax break will make it

easier for consumers to make the right choice when making their purchases."

     The RST exemption for qualifying ENERGY STAR(R) products is expected to

provide approximately $36 million to Ontario consumers in 2007-08 and a

further $15 million in 2008-09.

     This tax break is one of many initiatives introduced by the McGuinty

government to encourage Ontarians to conserve energy and fight climate change

- right from the comfort of their own home.

     The 2007 Budget announced almost $125 million in environmental measures

with more than $200 million in additional funding over the next three years.

     The provincial government has also:

     -   doubled the maximum RST rebate for qualifying hybrid electric

         vehicles from $1,000 to $2,000, making the decision to purchase fuel-

         efficient hybrid vehicles more attractive and affordable for

         Ontario's consumers;

     -   extended the temporary RST rebate for residential purchases of solar,

         wind, micro hydro-electric and geothermal energy systems to

         purchases made before January 1, 2010 to continue support for the

         production of cleaner energy.

     Ontario is also matching grants provided under the federal ecoEnergy

Retrofit program. Grants are available for such things as furnaces, central

air conditioners and water heaters. Ontario is also providing homeowners with

rebates of up to $150 to help subsidize home energy audits - including those

undertaken as a first step to participating in the ecoEnergy Retrofit program.

     For more information on ENERGY STAR(R) products, please visit the Energy